Ratchet-operated electric switch.



No. 743,173. C PATENTED NOV. s, 1903 W. KINGSLAND.

RATCHET" OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

H0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET l.

I7 5 5/ 2 3 Q Q 12 7 .5

v Q d 3 o. M v 7 75 m Tn: uggzms mans co. PNOTO-LITNCL WASHINGTON. a. c.

No. 743,173. PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903. W. KINGSLAND.

RATGHBT OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

N0 MODEL. I 7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

azmqlagw mam W dial/J Jwu/(O No. 743,173. PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903. W. KINGSLAND.

RATGHET OPERATED. ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1. 190a.

N0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS-fiHBBT a.

: noxmsvzrznscm mmmwmmshmurom o. c.

PATENTED NOV. a, 1903.

KINGSLAND.

RATOHET OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0 MODEL X g? zzgwa Sim/ Rms PEHZGS 00.: mom-L No. 743,173. PATENTED NOV. a, 1903.

W. KINGSLAND.

RATCHET OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

no MODEL. v 7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

' PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903.

W. KINGSLAND.

RATCHET OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1,1903

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

N0 MODEL.

1a: scams PETERS aafimmoumu msnmumu a c iii'o. 743,173.

UNITED STATES "Patented November 3, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

RATCHET OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,173, dated November 3, 1903.

Application filed June 1, 1903. Serial No. 159,600%. (lilo model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM KINGSLAND, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Connected with Ratchet- Operated Electric Switches, and of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to rotary electric switches to which uniform step-by-step motions are to be communicated for the purpose of alternately making or breaking an electric circuit, for inserting and cutting out resistances, or for. other purposes.

In the specification of United States patent granted to myself, No. 713,992, dated November 18, 1902, I have described such a switch to which step-by-step rotary motions are communicated by an operating-spindle capable of being moved in either direction from a zero position through a limited distance. This spindle carried two oppositely-engaging pawls, one of which was caused to engage and to operate an intermittent ratchet-wheel carrying the movable part of the switch and to so turn the switch in the same direction in which the operating-spindle was moved from its zeroposition. When the operating-spindle was moved in the other direction from its zero position, the other pawl operated and moved the switch in the reverse direction that is, in the same direction as the arm. In this construction the extent of the movements of the operating-spindle was limited by certain ratchet-clutch mechanism, which, however, had no connection whatever with the parts by which the switch directly received its motion, and it was necessary to hold one of the switch ratchet-pawls out of action while the other pawl was operating.

Now the present invention refers to improved mechanism for communicating to such rotary switches the required accurately-defined step-by-step motions, but always in one and the same direction, by means of the limited partial rotation in either direction of the operating-spindle from its normal or zero position,

According to the present invention, as well as according to my previous patent, No.,

713,992, the spindle is rocked by means of an arm or wheel, which may be operated by hand -in either direction from a normal position of rest, and at each operation the switch is moved through one step of its motion. Such an operating-arm therefore is very suitable for being operated by a tappet action, and the switch is eminently applicable for use in electric traction.

According to the present invention the means-that is, the ratchet-clutch mechanism-which was only employed for the purpose of limiting the motion of the arm and for returning it to position, in my Patent No. 713,992, is now so altered in construction and action that it not only serves those offices which it originally carried out, but it also serves the oflice of actuating a rotary pawlcarrying ring through a definite angle in a forward direction in order to rotate the moving part of the switch through its definite angle, and when the said mechanism is returned by spring action to bring back the arm to its zero position it carries back with it inoperatively the aforesaid pawl carrying ring to position for the next operation, and consequently the rotary part of the switch receives a step bystep motion in one and the same direction, no matter in what direction the operating-arm is moved.

An example of construction of ratchet-operated electric switch according to this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of the apparatus with its operative and controlling mechanism inclosed in a case, the design being such as to render the device applicable for use in electric traction. Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing the casing and the arm by which the aforesaid spindle receives its motion. Fig. 3 is a left-hand transverse sectional elevation .on the line X Y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a right-hand transverse sec tional elevation, also on the lineX Y of Fig. 1. The part of the mechanism by which the angular motions of the spindle are limited in both directions, by which the spindle is returned to its normal position, and by which a pawl-carrying ringis operated, as hereinafter described, is illustrated detached from its carrying parts at Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, Fig. 5 illustrating by an elevation and two opposite end views a helically toothed wheel which follows the angular rotative motions of the spindle. Fig. 6 shows by similar views an intermediate toothed wheel having helical teeth on both its faces and adapted to engage upon one face with the wheel shown at Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a similar view of a motor-screw, hereinafter described, having helical ratchetlike teeth upon one face, which engage with the teeth upon one face of the wheel shown at Fig. 6; and Fig. Sshows in elevation the assemblage of the parts shown at Figs. 5, 6, and 7. Fig. 9 is an end elevation, and Fig. 10 a vertical transverse section showing a pawl-carrying ring detached, which communicates a stepby-step motion to a ratchet-wheel connected to the moving part of the switch. Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the step-by-step ratchetwheel detached,aforesaid; and Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the same part. A modified construction of the pawl-ring is shown at Figs. 13 to 16, Fig. 13 being a cross-section, and Fig. 14: an elevation, of the carrying-ring, Fig. 15 an elevation of a ratchet pawl-ring, and Fig. 16 a cross-section of the carryingring with the pawl-ring in position therewith.

The spindle 1 is carried in bearings and is capable of being given a partial rotation in either direction by an arm 2 or equivalent part, its automatic return to the normal position of rest, (illustrated at Fig. 2,) as well as its extent of motion, being advantageously effected and defined by devices hereinafter described. The arm 2 or a part equivalent therefor may be operated by hand or by a tappet action.

'The bearings of the spindle 1 are formed in or carried by a casing which entirely incloses the mechanism and is effective in excluding water and detritus. This casing in the construction shown is made in two parts 3 4,which are bolted together. The part 3 is formed with a neck, into which is screwed a cup-shaped bearing 5 for the outer end of the spindle 1, while the opposite end of the spindle has a bearing in a cylindrical part, which projects on the inner face of the part 4 of the casing, and the end collar of the spindle is covered by a cap 6. The spindle thus carried in bearings in the casing (presumably, for the purpose of this description, in a horizontal position) carries nearits outer endthat is, near the end upon which the arm 2 is mounteda wheel 7, Figs. 1, 5, and 8, hereinafter termed the spindle-wheel. This wheel 7 is formed with a squared bore and fits onto a squared portion of the spindle 1, so that it turns with the spindle while it is supported against end thrust by ball-bearings 8, acting against a race carried by bearings 5. The spindlewheel 7 is formed upon its inner face with ratchet-like teeth having helical faces-that is, the inclined faces of the teeth are made as portions of screw-threads.

The teeth of the wheel 7 engage similarlyformed teeth upon the adjacent face of an intermediate wheel 9, which latter is loosely mounted upon the aforesaid spindle 1. The

intermediate wheel 9, Figs. 1, 6, and 8, upon its opposite face is formed with another set of ratchet-like teeth sloping in a direction opposite to the direction of the teeth upon the other face of the intermediate wheel, and these teeth engage similarlyformed teeth upon the end of a cylindrical part 10, Figs. 1, 7, and 8, which is loosely mounted upon the same spindle 1.

It has been previously stated that the ratchet-like teeth are made as portions of screw-threads, and this being so the screwthreads are continued around the periphery of the cylindrical part 10, cutting away the core for a short distance of that cylindrical part at the end adjacent to the intermediate Wheel 9, so as to allow the male screw-threads to project beyond such end and to form the face ratchet-like teeth, which engage the teeth of the intermediate wheel. There would thus be as many screw-threads out upon the periphery of the cylindrical part 10 as there are ratchet-like teeth around the face of the intermediate wheel 9that is, if there are three teeth on the intermediate wheel 9 the screw formed upon the exterior of the cylindrical part 10 would be a triple-threaded screw. There is then provided means by which the cylindrical part 10 (hereinafter termed the m otor-screw) shall be prevented from rotating whilefbeing permitted to have a limited and definite amount of traverse motion in the direction of the axis of the spindle l, and such means consist of projections 11, extending from the periphery of the motor-screw 10, entering longitudinal slots 12 in the bearingsleeve 5, which is screwed and held stationary in the casing 3. The projections 11 are clearly shown at Fig. 7. There is then provided a spring 13, which may conveniently be arranged around the spindle l, acting against a part of the casing and bearing up against the motor-screw 10 and tending to maintain it in face contact with theintermediate whee19, and consequently to maintain the intermediate wheel in its turn in face contact with the spindle 7.

When the operating-arm 2 is rocked in one direction, the teeth of the spindle-wheel 7 will slide against the teeth of the intermediate wheel 9. The teeth of the latter will interlock with the end of the motor-screw 10, traverse the latter along the spindle 1, compress the spring 13 until the projections 11 on the motor-screw come to the end of the groove 12 in the bearing-sleeve 5, by which its motion is limited, and then the angularmotion ofthe arm 2 will be stopped. The arm 2 will be brought back again by the spring 13, returning the motor-screw 10 to its original position by causing the teeth of the intermediate wheel 9 to slide against the teeth of the spindle-wheel 7. If the operating-arm 2 is moved inthe reverse direction, the spindle-wheel 7 will interlock with the' intermediate wheel 9, and the rotation of the latter wheel will operate upon the end faces of the male threads of the motor-screw with a like result. It is to be observed that the mo tor-screw 10 never rotates, its limited movements being only in the direction of the axis of the spindle.

The movable part 14 of the switch proper, which is shown in section at Fig. 1 and by dotted lines at Fig. 3 and to which is to be given the step-by-step rotary motion in one direction only, according to this invention is mounted upon a sleeve 15, (see also Fig. 12,) which may be exteriorly polygonal in section, and this sleeve is carried and is revoluble upon the exterior surface of the inner extension 16 of the casing 4, which receives within itself the end of the helical spring 13 and which also forms a bearing for the inner end of the spindle 1.

Fixed or formed upon the sleeve 15, which carries the movable portion of the switch 14, is a ratchet-wheel 17, having ratchet-teeth formed upon that surface which faces the end of the motor-screw 10. This ratchetwheel 17 is to receive a step-by-step rotative motion in one direction only each time that the operating-arm is rocked in either direction-that is, when the operating-arm 2 is rocked from its normal position in one direction the ratchetwheel 17 will be passed through one step of its motion-say counterclockwiseand similarly when the operatingarm 2 is rocked in the other direction the ratchet-wheel 17 will receive another motion, also in the same direction, (counter-clockwise.) The operating mechanism to eifect this result, which is provided to coact between the motor-screw 10' and the ratchet wheel 17, consists as follows: The pawl-carrying ring 18, Figs. 1, 4C, 9, and 10, is supported about its periphery by hearings in the casing. Such bearings conveniently consist in the construction illustrated of two series of balls running in grooves formed one on riphery of the motor-screw 10. By these means when the motor-screw is advanced in the operative direction,as has been previously explained, the pawl-carrying ring 18 will be revolved between its ball-bearings through a definite angle, and when the motor-screw is withdrawn by the action of the spring 13 from the pawl-carrying ring the latter will be revolved in the opposite direction through a definite angle.

18, so as to have motion parallel with the axis of the ring. Springs 22 act to impel the plunger-pawls laterally against the face-teeth of the intermittentvwheel l7, and the said pawls are formed with fiat acting surfaces to engage the teeth when the ring 18 receives its motion in a driving direction.

It will be obvious that the construction of the pawls carried by the pawl-ring maybe varied, and a modified construction is shown at Figs. 13 to 16. In this construction the carrying-ring 23 takes the place of the pawlring 18 of Fig. 1 and is similarly supported by the ball-bearings and actuated by the motor-screw passing through its central bore, as previously described. Instead, however, of the ring carrying plunger-pawls 21 the ring 23 of Figs. 13 and 14 is provided with segmental projections 24 and bore-holes 25. Applied to the face of the ring 23 is a ratchetring 26, Fig. 15, having peripheral projections 27, which take in between the projections 24 of the ring 23, while the ratchet-teeth of the ring 26 are held up against the teeth of the switch ratchet-wheel 17 by the springs acting in the bores 25 of the ring 23, as shown at Fig. 16. Thus when the ratchet-carrying ring 23 is revolved in a driving direction the teeth of the ring 26 engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 17 of the switch and the latter'is turned, while when the ring 23 is inoperatively returned. to its position the ratchet-ring 26 passes inoperatively over the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 17 by the resilient motion which can take place between the ring 26 and the ring 2 Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4, the distance of motion of the parts is so regulated by the length of the slot l2,within which the projections 1110f the motor-screw 10 can slide, that when the spindle 1 is revolved from its position of rest through its definite angle inone direction the pawl-carrying ring 18 will be revolved in a driving direction through a definite angle, and its pawls 21, engaging the ratchet-teeth on the face of the intermittent wheel 17, will revolve the latter part through one step'of its motion. Upon the spindle 1 being returned to its normal position of rest by the action of the spring 13 upon the ratchetfaced controlling-wheels the motor-screw 10 will be withdrawn from within the pawl-carrying ring l8,and the latter ring will be returned witha rotary motion through the same angle which it originally advanced, and the parts will again be in the normal position shown on the drawings. A precisely similar coaction of the parts will take place when the spindle receives an angular movement in an oppo- IIO site direction, and the pawl-carrying ring 18 i a spring-actuated detent-pawl 29, carried in a stationary bearing 30, Fig. 3, secured to the casing. To also insure the movable switch part against being carried by impetus beyond its required angle of motion, end projections 31 (three in numberin the example shown) are formed on the end of the motor-screw. 10, as is clearly shown at Figs. 1 and 7, and oppo site projections 32 are also formed (six in number in the example shown) upon the face of the ratchet-wheel17, and at or toward the termination of the advance motion of the motor-screw 10 the projections 31 come in between the projections 32 on the ratchet-wheel 17 and interlock, effectually preventing the switch part having further motion byimpetus or otherwise.

What Iclaim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a rotary electric switch in which the moving part receives uniform step-by-step movements always in the same direction at every angular motion in either operative direction given to a spindle from a normal position of rest; the combination with the spindle, bearings to support the spindle, a motorcylinder loose on the spindle, screw-threads on the periphery of the cylinder, means for preventing rotation of the motor-screw and for limiting the extent of its traverse movement along the spindle, means for advancing the motor-screw alongthe spindle by each operative angular movement of the spindle in either direction from a normal rest position, and means for limiting the angular motions of the spindle from and automatically returning it to its rest position; of a revoluble annular ring carried in bearings in the framework, threads on the inner periphery of the ring to engage the threads of the motorscrew to cause the partial rotation of the ring in one direction at the advance of the motorscrew and in the other direction at the return of the motor-screw, an electric switch having a revoluble member, a stationary bearing to carry the revoluble member, a face-toothed ratchet-wheel on the revoluble switch member, engagement devices carried by the ring to engage the face-toothed ratchet-wheel in the operative direction of motion of the ring and to pass inoperatively over the teeth on the return movement of the ring, and means for preventing backward motion of the revoluble switch part, substantially as set forth.

2. In a rotary electric switch in which the moving part receives uniform step-by-step movements always in the same direction at every angular motion in either operative direction given to a spindle from a normal position of rest; the combination with the spindle, bearings to support the spindle, a wheel fixed on the spindle and having inclined ratchet-like teeth on one face, an intermediate wheel loose on the spindle and having inclined face-teeth to engage with the teeth of the spindle-wheel, oppositely-inclined teeth on the other face of the intermediate wheel, a motor-cylinder loose on the spindle, screwthreads on the periphery of the cylinder, faceteeth on the end of the motor-screw to engage the adjacent teeth of the intermediate wheel, means for preventing rotation of the motorcylinder and for limiting the extent of its traverse movements along the spindle and thereby also. limiting the extent of angular motion of the spindle in either direction from a normal rest position, and a spring tending to hold the toothed wheels and motor-screw in engagement with one another and to thereby return the motor-screw and the spindle to rest after each operation; of a revoluble annular ring carried in bearings in the framework, threads on the inner periphery of the ring to engage the threads of the motor-screw to cause the partial rotation of the ring in one direction at the advance of the motorscrew and in the other direction at the return of the motor-screw, an electric switch having a revoluble member, a stationary bearing to carry the revoluble member, a face-toothed ratchet-wheel on the revoluble switch member, engagement devices carried by the ring to engage the face-toothed ratchet-wheel in the operative direction of motion of the ring and to pass inoperativelyover the teeth on the return movement of the ring, and means for preventing backward motion of the revoluble switch part, substantially as set forth.

3. In a rotary electric switch in which the moving part receives uniform step-by-step movements always in the same direction at every angular motion in either operative direction given to a spindle from a normal position of rest; the combination with the spindle, bearings to support the spindle, a wheel fixed on the spindle and having inclined ratchet-like teeth on the face, an intermediate wheel loose on the spindle and having inclined face-teeth to engage with the teeth of the spindle-wheel, oppositely-inclined teeth on the other face of the intermediate wheel, a motor-cylinder loose on the spindle, screwthreads on the periphery of the cylinder, faceteeth on theend of the motor-screw to engage the adjacent teeth of the intermediate wheel, means for preventing rotation of the motorcylinder and for limiting the extent of its traverse movements along the spindle and thereby'also limiting the extent of angular motion of the spindle in either direction from a normal rest position, and a spring tending to hold the toothed wheels and motor-screw in engagement with one another and to thereby return the motor-screw and the spindle to rest after each operation; of a revoluble annular ring carried in bearings in the framework, threads on the inner periphery of the ring to engage the threads of the motor-screw to cause the partial rotation of the ring in one direction at the advance of the motorscrew and in the other direction at the return of the motor-screw, an electric switch having a revoluble member, a stationary bearing to carry the revoluble member, a face-toothed ratchet-wheel on the revoluble switch member, engagement devices carried by the ring to engage the face-toothed ratchet-Wheel in the operative direction of motion of the ring and to pass inoperatively over the teeth on the return movement of the ring, and means for preventing backward motion of the revoluble switch part, and means to prevent the face-toothed ratchet-wheel and the rotary switch part being carried by impetus beyond its required angle of motion, substantially as set forth.

4. In a rotary electric switch in which the moving part receives uniform step-by-step movements always in the same direction at every angular motion in either operative direction given to a spindle from a normal position of rest; the combination with the spindle, bearings to support the spindle, an operating-lever fixed on the latter for partly rotating the spindle in either direction from a normal position of rest, a wheel fixed on the spindle and having inclined ratchet-like teeth upon one face, an intermediate wheel loose on the spindle and having inclined faceteeth to engage with the teeth of the spindle-wheel, oppositely-inclined teeth on the other face of the intermediate wheel, a motor screw-threaded cylinder loose on the spindle and having end face-teeth to engage the adj acent teeth of the intermediate wheel, means for preventing the rotation of the motorscrew, and for limiting its lateral motion in order to define the angular movements of the spindle in either direction froma normal position of rest, a spring tending to hold the toothed wheels and motor-screw in engagement with one another, and to thereby return the spindle to a normal position of rest after each operation, an annular ring carried in bearingsin the framework, projecting parts on the interior periphery of the ring to engage the peripheral threads of the motorscrew to partly rotate the ring counter-clockwise ateach advance movement of the motorscrew, and clockwise at the retrograde movement of the motor-screw of an electric switch having a revoluble member,a revoluble sleeve on which the revoluble member of the switch is carried, a stationary bearing for the revoluble sleeve, a wheel fixedto the revoluble sleeve, ratchet-teeth on the face of the wheel facing the annular ring, engagement devices carried by the said ring to engage the ratchettoothed wheel in one'direction of motion and to pass inoperatively over the teeth in the other direction of motion of the annular ring, means for preventing backward motion of the ratchet-wheel and rotary switch part, and means to prevent the ratchet-wheel and rotary switch part being carried by impetus beyond its required angle of motion, substantially as set forth.

5. In a rotary electric switch in which the moving part receives uniform step-by-step movements always in the same direction at every angular motion in either operative direction given to a spindle from a normal position of rest; the combination with the spindle, bearings to support the spindle, a wheel fixed on the spindle and having inclined ratchet-like teeth on one face, an intermediate wheel loose on the spindle and having inclined face-teeth to engage with the teeth of the spindle-wheel, oppositely-inclined teeth on the other face of the intermediate wheel, a motor-cylinder loose on the spindle, screwthreads on the periphery of the cylinder, faceteeth on the end of the motor-screw to engage the adjacent teeth of the intermediate wheel, projections 11 on the motor-screw, slots in the framework to receive the projections for limiting the traverse of the motor-screw preventing rotation thereof and limiting the angular movements of the spindle, a spring tending to hold the toothed wheels and motorscrew in engagement with each other and to thereby return the motor -screw and the spindle to rest after each operation; of a revoluble annular ringcarried in bearings in the framework, threads on the inner periphery of the ring to engage the threads of the motorscrew to cause the partial rotation of the ring in one direction at the advance of the motorscrew, an electric switch having a revoluble member, a stationary bearing to carry the revoluble member, a face -toothed ratchetwheel on the revoluble switch member, engagement devices carried by the ring to engage the face-toothed ratchet-wheel in the operative direction of motion of the ring and to pass inoperatively over the teeth on the return movement of the ring, and means for preventing backward motion of the revoluble switch part, substantially as set forth.

6. In a rotary electric switch in which the moving part receives uniform step-by-step movements always in the same direction at every angular motion in either operative direction given to a spindle from a normal porounding the motor-screw, bearings in the framework for the ring, projections from the ring to engage the screw, an electric switch having a revoluble member, a face-toothed ratchet wheel on the revoluble member, spring-pawls carried by the ring to engage the face-teeth of the ratchet-wheel, ratchet-teeth on the periphery of the ratchetwheel, and a spring detent-pawl carried by the framework to engage the peripheral ratchet-teeth to prevent backward motion, substantially as set forth.

7. In a rotary electric switch in which the moving part receives uniform step-by-step movements, always in the same direction at every angular motion in either operative direction given to a spindle from a normal position of rest; the combination with the spindle, bearings for the spindle, an operative lever fixed on the spindle, a face ratchettoothed wheel fixed on the spindle, an intermediate toothed wheel loose on the spindle to engage the spindle-wheel, a motor screwthreaded cylinder loose on the spindle having end teeth to engage the intermediate wheel, projections on the motor-screw, slots in the framework to receive the projections, and a spring to return the motor-screw and spindle to position; of an annular ring surrounding the motor-screw, bearings in the framework for the ring, projections from the ring to engage the screw, an electric switch having a revoluble member, a face-toothed ratchetwheel on the revoluble member, spring-pawls carried by the ring to engage the face-teeth of the ratchet-wheel, ratchet-teeth on the periphery of the ratchet-wheel, and a spring detent-pawl carried by the framework to engage the peripheral ratchet-teeth to prevent backward motion, projecting parts 31 on the forward end of the motor-screw, and projections 32 on the face of the ratchet-wheel 17 of the revoluble switch part for preventing the latter being carried by impetus beyond its required angle of motion, substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM KINGSLAND.

Witnesses:

GRIFFITH BREWER, WM. A. MARSHALL. 

